Heat Pumps
Heat Pump Installation, Repair & Replacement
Energy-efficient heating and cooling in one system.
The short answer
A heat pump is a single all-electric system that heats your home in winter and cools it in summer by moving heat instead of burning gas. Green Core Heating & Air designs, installs, repairs, and maintains ducted heat pumps for homes across Sonoma and Marin counties, starting every install with a load calculation so the system fits your home.
Overview
Heat Pumps in Sonoma and Marin
A heat pump heats and cools your home with one all-electric system. The North Bay's mild winters are ideal for heat pumps, and inland summer afternoons that climb into the 90s are no problem for one sized correctly, which makes it one of the most efficient ways to stay comfortable year-round.
Green Core Heating & Air installs, repairs, and maintains heat pumps in Petaluma, Santa Rosa, Novato, San Rafael, and across Sonoma and Marin counties. Most of our installs replace an aging gas furnace and AC, and we design each one around your home's layout, insulation, and ducts, because a well-designed system matters more than the brand on the box.
Benefits
Why homeowners choose this.
One system, year-round
Heating in winter, cooling in summer — all from a single, all-electric unit.
Energy efficient
Heat pumps move heat rather than create it, which uses far less energy.
Properly sized
We design around your home's layout, insulation, and airflow.
Quiet, reliable operation
Modern equipment runs quietly and delivers consistent comfort.
Heat pump installation
Most of our heat pump installs replace an aging gas furnace and air conditioner with one system. We size it with a room-by-room load calculation, check your ductwork, and review your electrical panel before recommending equipment, because a heat pump that's too big or fed by leaky ducts won't deliver the comfort or savings it should.
New systems use the newer, lower-impact A2L refrigerants (like R-454B), and we handle the permit, inspection, and any energy code testing your job requires.
- Load calculation and duct inspection on every job
- Electrical panel review when you're switching from gas
- Permits, inspection, and rebate paperwork handled
Heat pump repair
Common heat pump problems include a system blowing lukewarm air, ice on the outdoor unit that doesn't clear, short cycling, error codes, and refrigerant leaks. Some frost in winter is normal, because the system runs a defrost cycle, but a unit that stays iced over needs a look.
We test the whole system, including refrigerant pressures, electrical parts, defrost controls, and airflow, and give you a written price before any repair.
Heat pump maintenance
Because a heat pump heats and cools, it runs most of the year. A check before summer and another before winter keeps it efficient: we clean the coils, test capacitors and contactors, confirm the refrigerant charge, check the defrost cycle, and clear the condensate drain.
Costs and rebates
Heat pump systems are priced to your home, since ductwork, electrical upgrades, and equipment size vary. Your written estimate is free. Depending on where you live and current funding, heat pumps may qualify for rebates through TECH Clean California, BayREN, Sonoma Clean Power (Sonoma County), or MCE (Marin County). We check what's available and file the paperwork. The federal 25C tax credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025.
Heat pump vs. gas furnace and air conditioner
| Heat pump | Gas furnace + AC | |
|---|---|---|
| Heating and cooling | One system does both | Two separate systems |
| Fuel | All-electric | Gas for heat, electric for cooling |
| Efficiency | Moves heat, so it uses far less energy to heat | Burns gas to make heat |
| Rebates | Often available | Rarely |
| Best fit | Most North Bay homes, especially with solar | Homes not ready for electrical upgrades |
Our work
Recent projects in Sonoma and Marin
Real Green Core jobs for homeowners in Sonoma and Marin, with photos from the job site.
July 2026
Heat pump replaces an attic gas furnace in Petaluma
We removed an aging gas furnace from the attic and installed a high-efficiency Carrier heat pump, sized for the home, so it now heats and cools on one all-electric system.
See the job photosAugust 2026
Carrier heat pump and air handler installation in Santa Rosa
We replaced dated equipment with a high-efficiency Carrier heat pump and a new air handler, with new refrigerant lines, condensate drainage, and an upgraded electrical disconnect.
See the job photos
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FAQ
Heat Pumps questions, answered
How does a heat pump work?
A heat pump moves heat instead of making it. In winter it pulls heat from the outdoor air and brings it inside; in summer it reverses and moves heat out of your home, just like an air conditioner.
Do heat pumps work in cold weather?
Yes. Modern heat pumps are built for climates much colder than Sonoma and Marin, where winter nights usually stay above the mid-20s. Proper sizing is what keeps you comfortable on the coldest mornings.
Is a heat pump better than a furnace and AC?
For most North Bay homes, yes. One system handles heating and cooling, it runs on electricity instead of gas, it's more efficient, and it often qualifies for rebates. Homes that need a big electrical upgrade may want to plan for that first.
How much does a heat pump cost?
It depends on the size of your home, your ductwork, and whether you need electrical upgrades. We give you a free in-home estimate with clear written pricing, and we factor in any rebates you qualify for.
Will I need a new electrical panel?
Sometimes. Many homes can add a heat pump without a panel upgrade, but some older homes need one. We check your panel during the estimate so there are no surprises.
How long does a heat pump last?
Typically 12 to 15 years with proper installation and regular maintenance.
Why is there ice on my heat pump?
A light layer of frost on cold mornings is normal; the system melts it with a defrost cycle. If the outdoor unit stays covered in ice, or ice builds up in summer, call us for a repair.
Are there rebates for heat pumps in Sonoma and Marin?
Depending on where you live and current funding, heat pumps may qualify for rebates through TECH Clean California, BayREN, Sonoma Clean Power (Sonoma County), or MCE (Marin County). We check what's available and file the paperwork. The federal 25C tax credit ended for systems installed after December 31, 2025.
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